Abstract: An agricultural cultivator includes a frame designed to be self-propelled in a transport direction or to be pulled by a tractor in the transport direction, with a part of the frame extending transversely to the transport direction as a support, and with a plurality of individually mountable cultivator elements which can be positioned side by side and spaced from one another on the support, wherein the support is constructed from a plurality of support sections and has a folding mechanism which enables the support sections to be folded onto one another about folding axes that extend parallel to the transport direction. In addition, one or more mounting rails are provided. The mounting rails can be removably mounted on the support. The cultivator elements can be mounted on the mounting rail or rails.

Abstract: A riding lawn mower is provided with an electrical system. The electrical system includes a control module, transceiver modules, and a wiring system. The control module allows for programmably controlling electrical operations of the riding lawn mower. The transceiver modules are operably connected with respective devices of the riding lawn mower so as to communicate data between the respective devices and the control module. The wiring system comprising wires that electrically connect the transceiver modules with the control module/ The wiring system includes a power wire that provide electrical power to the transceiver modules from the battery; and a data bus comprising a data wire that transmits data between the control module and the transceiver modules.

Abstract: An electric mower includes a chassis; and a walking device, a mowing device, a power device, a handle device, and a back grass discharging device arranged on the chassis. The power device drives the operation of the walking device and the mowing device, the back grass discharging device discharges the grass cut by the mowing device, and the handle device controls the electric mower. The power device of the electric mower uses a hybrid power system formed by DC power supply and AC power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing weeds, which can be towed by an agricultural machine along an agricultural soil in order to remove any weeds that might be present on the soil includes a support that can be coupled, even indirectly, to a tractor of the agricultural machine. The apparatus further includes elements for the rotation of an operating unit, which is supported rotatably by the support about its own central axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of teeth extending radially from the peripheral region of the unit, for the progressive removal of weeds during advancement along the agricultural soil, as a consequence of the rotation of the unit, and of the teeth, about the central axis.

Abstract: A mower with reduced noise and vibrations is provided. The mower includes a mower frame and at least one drive motor supported by the mower frame. A plurality of wheels support the mower frame. At least one of the plurality of wheels is driven by the at least one motor. A cutting deck assembly hangs from the mower frame by a plurality of chain links. The cutting deck assembly includes a cutting deck and at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotatable by the at least one drive motor. At least one shock absorber has a first end opposite a second end. The first end is secured to the mower frame and the second end is secured to the cutting deck.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis; a threshing and separating assembly carried by the chassis; and a chopper assembly carried by the chassis that receives crop material from the threshing and separating assembly. The chopper assembly includes at least one movable chopping knife; a plurality of counter knives movable between a first knife position and a second knife position, the plurality of counter knives configured to cooperate with the at least one chopping knife to cut crop material when in the first knife position; a shear bar movable between a first bar position and a second bar position; and a linkage assembly connected to the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar such that the linkage assembly is selectively actuable to simultaneously move the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar between their respective first and second positions.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis defining a rear; a header carried by the chassis and configured to collect crop material from a field; a track carried by the chassis; and a shredding assembly carried by the chassis that receives crop material collected by the header. The shredding assembly includes a shredder configured to shred received crop material; and a shredder pan carried by the chassis under the shredder that includes a shred assister configured to cooperate with the shredder to shred crop material and at least one track follower in contact with the track that allows the shredder pan to move along the track toward the rear of the chassis.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided that separates grain material from material other than grain using multiple processing areas, including a harvesting area, a feederhouse area, a threshing area, a cleaning area, and a grain delivery area. In a location at or prior to entering one of the processing areas, the material may be collected and held until a collection threshold is reached. Once it is determined that the collection threshold is reached, the material forming a first group of material may be transported from the location to the processing area or a subsequent processing area. The first group of material is transported from the location to the processing area or the subsequent processing area substantially simultaneously and thus simulates the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved. In this way, reduced cycle times may be achieved, and the efficiency benefits of large-plot harvesting may be extended to small-plot applications.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to separably driven rotor portions for a combine harvester and a method for threshing grain using separably-driven rotor portions. The combine harvester is moved through harvest material comprising grain material and material-other-than-grain (“MOG”). The grain material is separated from the MOG using multiple processing areas. The auger portion may be stopped or rotated at a slower speed with respect to rotation of the threshing portion to simulate the gathering of a large amount of crop material even when small plots are involved, thereby providing the benefits of large-plot harvesting to small-plot applications.

Abstract: A non-row sensitive corn threshing header comprising a forwardly disposed cutting apparatus for severing standing corn crop from the ground and a rearwardly disposed threshing apparatus for separating kernels from the plant, collecting the kernels, and discarding the remaining plant. The threshing apparatus includes a plurality of screw auger conveyors arranged in upper and lower planes that receive the crop and urge the crop into diminishing space between adjacent auger conveyors, the space defined by the auger flighting and the expandingly tapered auger shanks. Kernels are separated from the cob as the ears are urged rearwardly in the threshing apparatus. The header may include screens and the like for cleaning the grain of chaff prior to transferring to on-board storage or chaff removal may occur after the grain is off-loaded from the harvester.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester has a chassis carrying a threshing and separating system for separating grain from Material Other than Grain (MOG). The threshing and separating system has a threshing rotor and at least one concave. At least one rasp bar is attached to the threshing rotor. The at least one rasp bar has an upper threshing surface and a trailing surface. The trailing surface is set at a draft angle. At least one trailing surface interrupter is located on the trailing surface and may be inclined slightly rearward from vertical. The trailing surface interrupters may be used with rasp bars with or without rasp bar spikes.

Abstract: A combine having a mobile frame and a harvesting header for removing crop material from the field and feeding it to a central location. A threshing and separating system separates grain from crop material and a feeder housing receives crop material from the harvesting head and conveys it to the threshing and separating system. A grain tank has a conveyor for transferring separated grain to the grain tank. Either of the harvesting header or the feeder housing has a perforated floor section sufficiently coarse to permit passage of grain to a conveyor beneath the perforated floor section that receives the grain and delivers it to either downstream of the threshing and separating system or the separated grain conveyor.

Abstract: A chopper knife assembly for use by an agricultural harvester. The chopper knife assembly includes a mounting lug with a fulcrum, wedge, and counterwedge; and at least one bladed knife attached to the mounting lug between the wedge and counterwedge; the assembly is held in place by an attachment means. The bladed knives are able to pivot on the fulcrum of the mounting lug during use, thereby forcing the knife blades onto the counterwedges to provide a more secure retention means.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover generally comprises a vertical portion engaged with a horizontal portion and an engagement pad. The horizontal portion may include a mounting member to engage the top surface mover with a prime mover. The vertical portion and horizontal portion may be of variable length so that the position of the engagement pad with respect to the prime mover may be variable in at least two dimensions. The illustrative embodiment of a top surface mover is complimentary to an illustrative embodiment of a method of use wherein the top surface mover is configured to position top surface pieces accurately.

Abstract: Pruning shears include a cutting head with a spring-biased blade pivotally connected to a jaw and arranged to sever a workpiece received in a bight formed by the jaw. A drive mechanism is connected to the cutting head and an elongate housing is connected to the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotation preventer for preventing rotation of a second pulley in relation to the drive mechanism when a drawing torque is applied to the second pulley. The drawing torque is greater than a threshold torque, resulting in a second pulley being stationary in relation to the drive mechanism and the first pulley rotating in relation to the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting roots is installed on a hand-carried weed cutter or hand-carried side walk edger. The blade assembly comprises a central blade support that supports a central blade. A plurality of cutting blades are stacked on both sides of the central blade to form a stack of blades. The stack of blades is secured together by fasteners that pass through openings in the blades. The central blade and each of the plurality of cutting blades comprises a plurality of teeth. Outermost blades in the stack of blades are smaller in diameter than the blades directly adjacent to the outermost blades.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to activate, modify, and sanitize the surfaces of granular, powdered, or seed material placed in a continuous flow of a low-temperature, reduced-pressure gas plasma. Said plasma may be created with radio-frequency power, using capacitive-inductive, or a combination of both types of discharge. The plasma is generated at pressures in the 0.01 to 10 Torr range. RF frequency ranges from 0.2 to 220 MHz, and correspond to a plasma density between about ne×108-ne×1012 or 0.001 to 0.4 W/cm3. Inserts and electrodes may be temperature controlled to control process conditions. RF discharge may be pulsed or modulated by different frequency in order to stimulate energy exchange between gas plasma and process material. The apparatuses may be grounded, biased and mechanically activated (e.g., vibration, rotation, etc.).

Abstract: There is provided a plant-transplanting device that, with a simple structure and at a low cost, realizes speedy and stable transplantation, prevents damage to a plant, and is easily automated. A plant-transplanting device 100 that transplants a seedbed B from a plant holder 110 to a cultivation pallet 120 includes a holder retaining mechanism 130, a pallet retaining mechanism 140 for retaining the cultivation pallet 120 below a holder retaining position of the holder retaining mechanism 130, and a lowering mechanism 150 for lowering the seedbed B retained by a holder seedbed retaining part 111 downward and inserting the seedbed B into a pallet seedbed retaining part 121.

Abstract: There is provided a seedbed holding unit capable of reliably and firmly holding a seedbed with a simple structure, causing no damage to a plant. A seedbed holding unit 160 that holds a seedbed B used in plant cultivation includes a first holding member 170 and a second holding member 180 that are rotatable relative to each other about a predetermined rotation axis A, the first holding member 170 is provided with a first claw part 173 in a fixed state, the second holding member 180 is provided with a second claw part 183 in a fixed state, and the seedbed B is held between the first claw part 173 and the second claw part 183 by rotating the first holding member 170 and the second holding member 180 relative to each other.

Abstract: A controlled and closed agricultural system includes a growing space and an air handling system having an enthalpy wheel and cooling coil. The enthalpy wheel is capable of transferring sensible and latent heat and is positioned in and rotatable through a recirculating air duct and an outside air duct. The recirculating air duct is in fluid connection with the growing space and one or more recirculation fans, while the outside air duct is in fluid connection with one or more outside air fans positioned to cause outside air to flow countercurrent to recirculating air. A cooling coil is positioned within the recirculating air duct, downstream of and in series with the enthalpy wheel. The cooling coil circulates a heat transfer fluid to remove additional heat from the recirculating air.

Abstract: Shelters for protecting and enhancing the growth of plants reinforced by receiving a retaining structure are provided. The shelters include an outer longitudinal tubular structure having a first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end and a second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; an inner longitudinal tubular structure positioned within the outer longitudinal tubular structure and having an inner wall, a first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end, and a second-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end diametrically opposed to the first-inner-longitudinal-tubular-structure end; and a segmented annular portion positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall. The segmented annular portion may comprise a plurality of segmented annular divider walls defining a plurality of through channels extending from the first-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end to the second-outer-longitudinal-tubular-structure end.

Abstract: A mulch collecting and distributing assembly includes a housing having a rear wall and a perimeter wall extending forward of the rear wall. The perimeter wall has a forward edge defining an access opening. The perimeter wall includes an upper wall and a lower wall. A plurality of teeth is attached to the lower wall and extends forward from the forward edge. Each of the teeth is arced upwardly from the lower wall. An upper handle is attached to the upper wall adjacent to the forward edge. A rear handle is attached to the rear wall adjacent to the upper wall. The rear wall has a support formed therein adjacent to the lower wall and extending outwardly away from the rear wall. The teeth and the forward edge are extendable into mulch to fill the interior with mulch.

Abstract: Plant cultivation materials, which have the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, which provide the best environment for plants respiration, which comprises polyesters, natural pulps and/or synthetic pulps such as polyolefin pulps, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provide the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, and the plant cultivation methods by using the materials can be provided.

Abstract: A method for growing and harvesting produce using an aquaponics system. The system includes a tank, at least one support structure, and at least one harvesting device having at least one hole to accommodate plant roots.

Abstract: A growth system for growing vegetation is provided, and includes a plurality of modular growing units defining a vegetative zone; a plurality of lighting units including a lighting node for selectively emitting first and/or second wavelengths of light in the vegetative zone; an unpressurized reservoir for housing a fluid containing one or more nutrients; a nutrient feeding system for fluidly connecting each of the modular units to the reservoir in parallel; and a pump in fluid communication between the reservoir and the modular units. When a modular unit is connected to the respective quick connect valve, the nutrient feeding system directs the fluid to the modular unit, and when the modular unit is disconnected from the valve, the valve is configured for preventing the fluid from flowing from the reservoir through the valve, and the other modular units connected to the nutrient feeding system remain fluidly connected to the reservoir.

Abstract: Growing systems may include a number of modular growing chambers adapted to be configured in a stacked arrangement with each growing chamber surrounding a corresponding portion of the plant. The grow chambers may be selectively added or removed during plant growth, such that different sections of the growing plant may be influenced differently using aeroponic, hydroponic or other growing techniques. The grow chamber stack may be portable and provided with integrated or independent lifting devices to assist an operator in adding or removing chambers from the stack. Three growing processes may be facilitated using such systems. These include a process for producing assorted product from a single plant for simultaneous harvest, a process for producing an extended harvest of a desired size product from a single plant, and a process for extending the productive life of a plant and provide for multiple, continued, and perpetual harvest.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular rotatable gardening system, comprising a modular main frame supporting a drum for growing plants. This modular rotatable gardening system can be stacked on top of one or more other modular rotatable gardening systems, and also combined in-line. The modular rotatable gardening system may additionally comprise a modular hot air removal ductwork, and may additionally comprise a CO2 delivery system.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated X17 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar X17, to the seeds of potato cultivar X17, to the plants of potato cultivar X17, to the plant parts of potato cultivar X17, to food products produced from potato cultivar X17, and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar X17 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety X17, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar X17 and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods.

Abstract: A potato cultivar designated Y9 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato cultivar Y9, to the seeds of potato cultivar Y9, to the plants of potato cultivar Y9, to the plant parts of potato cultivar Y9, to food products produced from potato cultivar Y9, and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing potato cultivar Y9 with itself or with another potato variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a potato plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic potato plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to potato cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from potato variety Y9, to methods for producing other potato cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from potato cultivar Y9 and to the potato plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of melon hybrid SVMF5196 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of melon hybrid SVMF5196 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a melon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another melon plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, NUN 09168 TOF.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, NUN 00261 TOP.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and distinct hybrid variety of tomato, NUN 00263 TOP.

Abstract: The present invention includes cauliflowers with enhanced whiteness and methods for obtaining such cauliflowers. The present invention also provides reagents that can be used in methods for obtaining such cauliflowers.

Abstract: New lettuce varieties designated ‘Tuolomne’, ‘Rainier’ and ‘E01G70048’ are described. ‘Tuolomne’, ‘Rainier’ and ‘E01G70048’ are lettuce varieties exhibiting stability and uniformity.

Abstract: A milking system includes a milking device, and a milk storage system having: a temporary milk storage vessel for temporarily storing milk from a plurality of milking operations, a milk pipe from the milking device to the temporary milk storage vessel, a milk tank for storing the milk from the temporary milk storage vessel, a control unit, a main milk pipe from the temporary milk storage vessel to the milk tank, a pressurized liquid supply which is controllable by the control unit and is provided and configured to supply a pressurized liquid, other than milk, to the milk storage system, a first and a second discharge provided on the main milk pipe, a selection device which is controllable by the control unit and is on the main milk pipe towards the first discharge or the second discharge, wherein the control unit is configured to perform a milk transferring action for transferring milk in the main milk pipe into the milk tank with the aid of the pressurized liquid, wherein the liquid transferring action inclu

Abstract: A pet litter box mat having a first planar layer which overlaps and covers a second planar layer. The layers are connected together by hinges. A plurality of openings are formed through the first layer and these openings increase in area from a side of the first mat which abuts the second mat to the other side of the first mat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for dispensing pet food includes a chamber, a transport conveyor, a blade, and an extractor. The chamber may dispense a pet found pouch to the transport conveyer. The transport conveyor may receive the pet food pouch and transport the pet food pouch to the blade wherein the blade may cut open the pet food pouch. The transport conveyor may then move the opened pet food pouch to the extractor. The transport conveyor may activate the extractor causing the extractor to lower onto the transport conveyor and extract pet food from the pet food pouch into a food tray. The transport conveyor may dispose the pet food pouch into a trash tray by releasing a trapdoor.

Abstract: A smart pet interactive device includes a cloud server, a smart communication device and a wireless pet interactive device. The smart communication device wireless is connected to the cloud server and equipped with an interactive module corresponding to the cloud server. The wireless pet interactive device wireless is connected to the cloud server and placed in a living space where at least one pet lives. The smart communication device is connected to the cloud server through the interactive module to control the wireless pet interactive device to provide food to the at least one pet, capture a first image of the living space, send the first image to the smart communication device through the cloud server, and control the interactive module to display the first image, thereby effectuating interaction between a pet and its owner.

Abstract: An automated animal washing system includes a housing having a base, and a wash tub for holding water and an animal cage positioned atop the base. The system has a lid moveable between a closed position for covering an upper end of the wash tub and an open position for providing access to the upper end of the wash tub. The system includes at least one water pipe for introducing water into the wash tub, and a shampoo pipe for introducing shampoo or soap into the wash tub. A rotatable agitator is disposed at the lower end of the wash tub. A drain is also disposed at the lower end of the wash tub for removing water from the wash tub. The animal cage is disposed inside the wash tub. The animal cage has spaced legs that project from a bottom of the cage for spacing the cage away from the rotatable agitator. A control system is disposed in the base for automatically operating the animal washing system.

Abstract: A powered animal brush for animal grooming is disclosed. The brush consists of removable and replaceable elongated combs that lock into a central housing. These combs insert into the outside surface of the central housing and groom the animals as the combs rotate.

Abstract: A pet vest is basically provided with an upper portion, an underside portion and a collar portion. The upper portion is sized and structured to cover a pet dorsal area. The upper portion has a pocket configured to contain a calming device. The underside portion is sized and structured to cover a pet ventral area. The collar portion is disposed between proximal ends of the upper portion and the underside portion. The collar portion connects the upper portion and the underside portion. The collar portion defines a receiving hole sized and structured to substantially surround a pet neck area.

Abstract: A neck collar includes a body, a tensioning cord, and a pair of mating fastener straps. The body defines an opening configured to wrap around the neck of an animal and includes a pair of distal ends forming a gap therebetween. The tensioning cord is at least partially disposed through the body and configured to adjust the size of the opening. Each fastener strap is disposed on an outer surface of the body proximate a respective distal end and at least one fastener strap extends across the gap.

Abstract: Animal husbandry has always been susceptible to the ravages of pathogenic infections. Poultry flus and cattle diseases are but two examples that have dire consequences for animals and adversely affect the economic fortunes of farmers. A testing and culling methodology is presented that can eliminate pathogens from an infected herd. The sensitivity of PCR to detect very low levels of nucleic acid of an infecting pathogen is utilized to identify infected animals. In addition, it has been discovered that PCR analysis of manure samples can accurately identify infected animals and offspring for those species that consume placental remains after birth. Mink Aleutian Disease Virus (mADV) is one of several deadly DNA parvoviruses that can quickly reach epidemic proportions in a mink herd. PCR primers have been developed that generate amplicons to detect and identify the mADV. In addition, a previously unidentified strain of mADV has been discovered, genomically sequenced, and substantially detailed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data network for automatically monitoring voluntary behaviors of individual animals of an animal herd. The individual animals of the animal herd each have a node of the data network. A further node is attached at a location which an animal preferably approaches in the course of a behavior to be monitored. In the event that the animal approaches the node, communication occurs between the nodes, in which communication one node is identified by the other node and a central data-processing system is informed that the two nodes have come into contact. The communication between the two nodes occurs by means of the transfer of electrical signals in a closed electrical alternating-current circuit, which also passes, among other things, through the body of the animal as an electrical conductor.

Abstract: A motion detection method includes: acquiring, from a terminal device, number of steps and a trembling number based on detection values of an acceleration sensor, and a time period in which the number of steps and the trembling number are detected, by a processor; determining whether the trembling number occurring in a time period with the number of steps of a predetermined number or less exceeds a threshold, out of a time period with the number of steps exceeding the predetermined number, and the time period with the number of steps of the predetermined number or less, by the processor; generating information based on the trembling number when the trembling number exceeds the threshold as a result of the determining, by the processor; and notifying the terminal device of the generated information, by the processor.

Abstract: A smart cloud-based interactive aquarial device, mounted on an aquarium and connected to at least one cloud server to communicate with an electronic device through the cloud server, including an image capturing device for capturing images in the aquarium; at least one peripheral control device including a feeding member for feeding fish foods into the aquarium automatically or according to a feeding instruction of the electronic device; a processing module connected to the image capturing device and the peripheral control device to control operation thereof; and a wireless communication module for enabling the smart cloud-based interactive aquarial device to communicate with the cloud server or the electronic device, sending images captured by the image capturing device to the cloud server for storage and sending at least one instruction to the processing module through the cloud server.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are animals that are modified genetically to express one or more introduced sry alleles or to have a knockout of an existing sry allele. In various embodiments, the sry allele is inserted in at least one X chromosome of an XX resulting in an animal having two X chromosomes and appearing phenotypically male and sterile. In some embodiments the animal is modified to express multiple copies of sry inserted throughout its genome including the X chromosomes and the autosomes. In still other embodiments, the sry allele is inserted in multiple allosome sites. In these embodiments, XX individuals will be sterile and phenotypically male. XY individuals will be male and fertile but offspring will have an opportunity to inherit multiple sry alleles. In this embodiment, progeny of a male carrier will be sterile and phenotypically male if they are genotypically XX and express sry. Male progeny will be fertile and normal but will carry a hereditable copy of sry in their allosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human artificial chromosome which is genetically transmissible to the next generation with high efficiency and the method for using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to: a human artificial chromosome in which an about 3.5 Mb to about 1 Mb region containing an antibody ? light chain gene derived from human chromosome 22 is bound to a chromosome fragment which is transmissible to a progeny through a germ line of a non-human animal, said chromosome fragment is derived from another human chromosome; a non-human animal carrying the human artificial chromosome and an offspring thereof; a method for producing the non-human animal; a method for producing a human antibody using the nonhuman animal or an offspring thereof; and a human antibody-producing mouse carrying the human artificial chromosome.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human-non-human antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanised antibodies; compositions comprising said antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in said methods.